EXTORTION

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does extortion mean? 

• EXTORTION (noun)
  The noun EXTORTION has 3 senses:

1. an exorbitant charge

2. unjust exaction (as by the misuse of authority)

3. the felonious act of extorting money (as by threats of violence)

  Familiarity information: EXTORTION used as a noun is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• EXTORTION (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

An exorbitant charge

Classified under:

Nouns denoting possession and transfer of possession

Hypernyms ("extortion" is a kind of...):

overcharge (a price that is too high)

Derivation:

extort (obtain by coercion or intimidation)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Unjust exaction (as by the misuse of authority)

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Context example:

the extortion by dishonest officials of fees for performing their sworn duty

Hypernyms ("extortion" is a kind of...):

exaction (act of demanding or levying by force or authority)

Derivation:

extort (obtain through intimidation)

extortionist (a criminal who extorts money from someone by threatening to expose embarrassing information about them)

Sense 3

Meaning:

The felonious act of extorting money (as by threats of violence)

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Hypernyms ("extortion" is a kind of...):

felony (a serious crime (such as murder or arson))

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "extortion"):

blackmail (extortion of money by threats to divulge discrediting information)

protection; tribute (payment extorted by gangsters on threat of violence)

shakedown (extortion of money (as by blackmail))

Derivation:

extort (obtain by coercion or intimidation)

extortionist (a criminal who extorts money from someone by threatening to expose embarrassing information about them)